Thomas W. Benton: Artist/Activist

About this book

Thomas W. Benton: Artist/Activist chronicles the life and political activism of artist Thomas W. Benton with 150 images of his artwork. Bentons silkscreen posters cataloged political movements and elections from 1968 to 2006 and are a powerful visual account of the issues and campaigns that shaped history. In addition to numerous candidates and issues in Aspen Colorado Benton created political posters for presidential candidates George McGovern and Gary Hart and against President Nixon. The book includes never-before-published images of the Aspen Wallposters a collaboration of Bentons art and Gonzo journalist Hunter S. Thompsons writing in that promoted their Freak Power movement. Bentons later works including abstract silkscreens monotypes and paintings are also explored in relation to the artists life and philosophies. The book also includes Bentons commercial work in Aspen as a signmaker/printmaker his architectural projects in Colorado and ten poems by close friend and lyricist Joe Henry.